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The Psychosocial Effects of Acne on Adolescents
Author(s) -
Krowchuk Daniel P.,
Stancin Terry,
Keskinen Rosemary,
Walker Robin,
Bass Jonathan,
Anglin Trina M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
pediatric dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1525-1470
pISSN - 0736-8046
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1470.1991.tb00945.x
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , acne , embarrassment , feeling , dermatology , rating scale , adverse effect , clinical psychology , psychiatry , psychology , developmental psychology , psychotherapist , social psychology
To describe the psychosocial impact of acne on adolescents, and, in particuiar, to assess whether seif‐concept is affected by medical treatment, we evaluated 39 teenagers presenting for care to a community‐based dermatologist. Prior to and following treatment, subjects completed a self‐assessment questionnaire, the Piers‐Harris self‐concept scale, and underwent an objective assessment of acne severity. Fiftyeight percent of subjects were dissatisfied with their facial appearance and this in turn was correlated with feelings of embarrassment and social inhibition (for each, r = 0.48, P < 0.005). Subjects'rating of acne severity, but not the dermatologist's, was correlated with dissatisfaction with facial appearance (r = 0.45, P < 0.005). Despite these findings, the mean Piers‐Harris totai t‐score (55.4 ± 7.4) was within the normal range. Fourteen subjects (36%) returned for follow‐up and 71% of these were judged by both the dermatologist and themselves to have improved. Following therapy, significant reductions in the adverse consequences of acne were observed with 42% of subjects reporting that their facial appearance was more acceptable to peers, 50% being less embarrassed, and 58% feeling less socially inhibited. Minimal improvement in mean Piers‐Harris total t‐score was observed (54.6 to 57.4, P = 0.004, paired t‐test). Our data demonstrate that acne is perceived by adolescents to have important negative personal and social consequences, and that improvement in these areas may accompany medical treatment.